Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the reopening of the country's borders to international tourists may not be far away, adding that the parliament will debate the matter this week, Reuters reports.

Australia, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been going through a staggered reopening in recent months, allowing in only its citizens and residents, skilled migrants, international students and certain seasonal workers.

"We are looking forward to be able to make that decision to open up our borders and welcome visitors back to Australia again as soon as we safely and possibly can," Morrison said. "But I really do not believe that that is far away."